In Brief
A wife sought pendente lite maintenance during a pending divorce petition under Section 24 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955. The Family Court awarded Rs. 8,000 monthly to the wife and Rs. 4,000 to their minor daughter, plus litigation expenses. A prior maintenance order under Section 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code also existed. The Supreme Court upheld the awards, clarifying that Section 24 maintenance supersedes Section 125 orders. The Court directed the husband to pay Rs. 6,000 cash monthly to the wife and Rs. 2,000 to the daughter, with security for the remaining Rs. 4,000. The parties were encouraged to mediate and settle the dispute amicably.
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